PARMA, Ohio -- After nearly 80 years since it opened, the Parma Theater could soon turn into a pile of rubble. Demolition will likely start as early as December.
It opened it's doors back in 1936, showing motion pictures like "Anything Goes" starring Bing Crosby, "Topper" with Cary Grant and "Jezebel" featuring Bette Davis.
Hank Durica remembers paying 10 cents for a ticket.
"I remember going up and getting a ticket out of the window and then going to the movie and it was probably cartoons," said Hank.
In an attempt to attract moviegoers, the theater converted from one screen to three, which some say took away the hometown charm.
"When you went into the theater you wanted to get lost into the movie and the multiplexes just don't have that," said Paul Durica.
The curtain eventually closed two years ago, followed by an arson fire. Efforts to declare the theater an historical preservation site failed, as did a social media push to save it from demolition.
Former moviegoers, like Andrew Rivera, are heartbroken.
"I hate to see it go. I hate to see it torn down so it is a shame and I do have great memories here," said Rivera.
While some agree it's time to let it go, others are saying goodbye to an end of an era.
"It's sad that the Parma Theater will no longer be. I'm hoping they can save it because it's nostalgic," said Linda Durica.
To save the theater, it would take a half million to buy the building and a half million to renovate it. If it doesn't happen the wrecking ball will be out in mid-December.
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